CSB to investigate death of student

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (CSB) promised to investigate what happened to one of its students, who died due to what is suspected to be another incident of hazing.

The institution, in a statement released Sunday, reiterated its prohibition of fraternities and fraternity-related violence.

"This is a time of great sadness as De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde mourns the demise of our students and prays for the recovery of the other students who are also victims of a recent fraternity hazing student," it said in the statement.

CSB also encouraged everyone to respect the privacy of the victims' families.

"The Benildean community sends its prayers to the students' families and friends. During this difficult time, Benilde responds with utmost respect and deference to all who are affected and enjoins everyone to respect the privacy of the families," it said.

According to initial investigations conducted by the Manila Police District (MPD), the four CSB students went home to Unit 2907 of the One Archers Place in Taft Avenue, Manila, at around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The condominium guards initially thought that the four students were drunk as they were not walking steadily, but at around 11 p.m., a Red Cross ambulance arrived to respond to a call for help from the unit.

When the guards called the unit, they learned that one of the students was already dead.

PO2 Michael Marragun identified the victim as Guillo Cesar Servando, an 18-year-old second year Hotel and Restaurant Management student at St. Benilde.

Meanwhile, the three other students were rushed to the Philippine General Hospital, where they are being treated for bruises and wounds on their backs. Their identities have not been divulged.

All four students were either freshmen or sophomores, according to the authorities. The students’ parents have already been informed of their situation.